He is the Boston Celtics’ superstar, first and foremost, and he is healthy. On Tuesday, his team destroyed the Warriors, who view Boston as a threat in June, in no small part because Irving played such a major role on the last team to beat them in the Finals. And maybe, just maybe, the Celtics, sitting a game out of fourth in the East, are rounding into form as the playoffs near.

It all comes at a low moment for LeBron James, maybe one of the lowest of his career. With the Lakers only mathematically alive to make the playoffs in the Western Conference, LeBron is about to miss the postseason for the first time in 14 years, his first season in Hollywood a flop.

Kyrie and LeBron are inextricably linked through the NBA title they won together in Cleveland, but also by how they broke up — no matter how many apologies Kyrie issues over the phone or times LeBron picks him for his All-Star team.